They engage with it more freely, trust it further and are more easily moved to action by it than any other type of content.

The best part is that user-generated content is easy for marketers to harness and benefit from. Instagram, perhaps more than any other platform, is the ideal place to do it.

Whether this is your first time leveraging Instagram UGC or your hundredth, the following eight tips will help improve your results and prevent potential snags:

1. Choose a powerful hashtag for submissions

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get users to supply you with content is to encourage them to tag photos with a special hashtag. With a user's permission, you can then grab the best ones and post them on your own account.

I'm just saying that you need to offer something in exchange for a user's efforts.

Give them a shoutout if you use their post. Follow their account. Give them a coupon. As soon as it's in a user's best interest to share high-quality, creative posts with you, you'll never want for content again.

4. Set the bar high, but eliminate barriers to entry

You can't share just anything.

In order for this to work, user-generated content has to be beautiful and relevant, just like every other content type. For this reason, be selective about the posts you choose to share on your official feed.

If you can't see a post resonating with your audience and yielding high engagement rate, leave it alone.

That said, it's important that anyone could potentially be featured.

Companies that are successfully leveraging UGC on Instagram actively encourage photo submissions from anyone and everyone. If you limit your interest to professional photographers or influencers, the magic of UGC will be largely lost.

5. Get your website involved

Instagram is a powerful marketing tool, but it works even better when paired with other media channels as part of an integrated campaign.

Are you struggling to get users excited about submitting content? Create a special page on your website for submissions and find a way to make a promotion out of it.

Both Burberry and Starbucks used their popularity on Instagram to expand into successful UGC marketing online. Burberry created an online fashion archive composed of independent users wearing their trench coats.

Both companies expanded their audience and reach by connecting Instagram with other marketing channels.

6. Own a lifestyle

Brands like REI and GoPro have been hugely successful on Instagram, using almost nothing but UGC. The secret to their success is owning a certain lifestyle.

REI is a strong outdoor brand that features a lot of photos from users. When Instagrammers have cool hiking or camping photos and want publicity, they submit them almost automatically.

GoPro does the same thing with the culture of extreme sports and adventure travel.

Take a minute to think critically about the lifestyle associated with your brand. Chances are you'll find some culturally relevant point to emphasize and build your campaign around.

7. Don't wait for content to come to you

Well-established accounts don't usually have any trouble finding user-generated content to publish. However, if this is your first attempt at a UGC campaign, it might take longer to get things up and running.

If you've created a hashtag and asked for submissions, but haven't received anything outstanding, don't be afraid to go looking for it.

It's perfectly acceptable to reach out to Instagrammers via comment or direct message, asking to use a post. Most users will be flattered and helpful.

Once you have a few UGC posts up on your feed, others will be more likely to submit their own too.

8. Don't halt your own content production

UGC is affordable, simple and very effective.

Many of the most successful branded accounts on Instagram publish almost nothing but UGC. However, it's good to occasionally post something from your own camera.

By keeping a balance, you'll be better able to control your brand narrative and keep your audience informed as to any newsworthy happenings and upcoming events.

Wrap

The bottom line is that many Instagram marketers are working harder than they need to. By using the above suggestions, they can harness the power of their audience and dramatically improve their ROI.

Don't be afraid to add new voices to your digital dialogue.

Guest Author: Lucas Miller is a Freelance Copywriter and Founder of Echelon Copy. When not writing, tweeting or attempting to play pickup basketball, he's working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the “World's Greatest Pompadour.” To get more tips on how to start your own six-figure freelance copywriting business, join his free newsletter.